'I was an a--hole': Andrew Goudelock recounts humbling journey to self-improvement / News - Basketnews.com

A few years ago, Andrew Goudelock realized that he wasn't particularly likable, both as a person and as an athlete. In the second part of his interview with BasketNews, the veteran guard explains how family, injuries and the overseas experience helped him change his attitude.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

In October 2012,Andrew Goudelockbecame the last player to be cut in theLos AngelesLakers'training camp, just a few days before the season tipped off.

Andrew Goudelock

Team:MoraBanc AndorraPosition:PG, SGAge:35Height:191 cmWeight:91 kgBirth place:Georgia, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Four months earlier, Lakers coach Mike Brown and General Manager Mitch Kupchak had told the aspiring player in his exit interview that he needed to work on his defense, ball handling, and point-guard skills.

The second-round draft pick had toswitch his diet from late-night snacks to mostly fish and vegetables, and he even sent photographs to the team's strength and conditioning coach, Tom DiFrancesco, for approval.

When his NBA hopes evaporated, Goudelock had to settle for a G League contract and a less bright professional environment compared to the NBA spotlights.

On the court, his 2012-13 season was all roses. He even ended up being named the NBA Development League's MVP that year.

But off the court? Well, that was a different story.

"I didn't receive anything after the NBA," he recalls.

"When I got cut in my second year, I was really depressed, devastated, and angry. When I went to the G League, it was difficult for me. Especially coming from the NBA, I didn't know much about what was going on.

We were getting paid $25,000 a month, and I was getting taxed. We were staying in worse hotels, and things were a lot different than in the NBA."

Goudelock's meager salary and his $40 in daily meal money

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